Discussion and possible action to adopt RES. 2025-99 Authorizing the City of Peoria to act as the pass-through municipality for local 501(c)(3) organizations seeking grant funding from the Gila River Indian Community.

Proposition 202, passed as part of the 2002 Gaming Compact in Arizona, directs participating Tribal Governments to share gaming revenues with surrounding local governments. Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) designations are eligible to compete for Indian Community gaming grants if they have a local government agreeing to serve as a pass-through agent. As a pass-through agent, local governments receive the grant award from the Indian Community and forward the amount to the nonprofit organization.

The United Arizona Veterans is a 501(c)(3) organization that conducts business virtually and meets in several locations throughout the state to ensure access to its 50+ Veteran Services Organization affiliates. The United Arizona Veterans serves veterans throughout the state, which consists of 12,595 or 5% of the state’s civilian veterans residing in Peoria (MAG, Census 2020).

The United Arizona Veterans has been approved to receive $30,000 from the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) to provide tuition assistance, scholarships, and financial contributions that support community services led by honorably discharged veterans and their family members.  

Staff has vetted this organization and its program and recommends approval of this resolution.

There is no fiscal impact. The Gila River Indian Community will transfer the funds to the City, which will manage the distribution to the entity in accordance with State law.